Pump: Medela or Ameda?

skirby

I will be pumping at work, and I have short breaks....which makes me want to get a great pump. After tons of reading, I'm still really torn between the Medela hands-free and Ameda Purely Yours. I'm wondering if the hands-free feature is really worth it, since I did see that I could buy a separate bra-thing to make any bra hands-free. I have also heard that the Medela is harder to clean?

Do you have either of these pumps, and if so what are your thoughts?  Thanks, ladies! 

Mrs.BoomBoom

I went with the Ameda because 1) I was given a pump and 2) I was given the parts by my hospital.  It was fine.  I have a friend at work with a Medela and it seems like she has more pieces and is more prone to leaks.

DoxieGal

I'm not much help--I had a Medela (can't remember the exact one right now, but not the one you mentioned) and it was decent.  I rented a Medela Symphony from the hospital for a bit too and it was so much better (it should be for as much as you would pay to buy it).  Wish I had just rented and not purchased, but for me I also didn't pump as long as most moms, so a totally different situation.  I have had two friends use Medela recently and they spoke highly of the ones that they got.  I want to say that one of them used a Freestyle from Medela or something like that.

I think that I still have some extra breastmilk bags if you want them.  If I recall correctly, you work in Rancho and I am nearby.

love22

I had a medela pump in style advanced and I pumped for over 6 months at work.  I really liked it.  It was easy to use and virtually everyone I talked in real life also used a medela.  I know NorcalLinds exclusively pumped for her first DS and used the freestyle and she loved it.  She pumped all over the place in public with no issues.  

Make sure whatever you do that you shop around for a good price.  I got my at addalittlelove.com over 2 years ago before I had my DS and at the time it had some of the best prices. 

SportyMrs.23

I have the medela freestyle and I loved it.  It was easy to use and easy to clean and I will say that the customer service for medela is AMAZING.  I had an issue with the pump after a long while into nursing/pumping and I called them up and they asked me some questions and tried to help me fix it over the phone but it wasn't working...they sent me a brand new pump with no charge at all.

skirby

Thanks so much, ladies! It's so nice to have this board, and be able to bring up questions to experienced moms!

skirby

DoxieGal:

I'm not much help--I had a Medela (can't remember the exact one right now, but not the one you mentioned) and it was decent.  I rented a Medela Symphony from the hospital for a bit too and it was so much better (it should be for as much as you would pay to buy it).  Wish I had just rented and not purchased, but for me I also didn't pump as long as most moms, so a totally different situation.  I have had two friends use Medela recently and they spoke highly of the ones that they got.  I want to say that one of them used a Freestyle from Medela or something like that.

I think that I still have some extra breastmilk bags if you want them.  If I recall correctly, you work in Rancho and I am nearby.

Thanks so much, I'd really appreciate the bags! I'm still on summer break from teaching in Rancho, but I am going out there on Monday (and a bunch in the coming weeks), so I can pick them up from you.

MrsEmm

I have the Ameda Pys and it worked great for me - plus I got it for significantly cheaper than the medela. 

 

DoxieGal

skirby:

DoxieGal:

I'm not much help--I had a Medela (can't remember the exact one right now, but not the one you mentioned) and it was decent.  I rented a Medela Symphony from the hospital for a bit too and it was so much better (it should be for as much as you would pay to buy it).  Wish I had just rented and not purchased, but for me I also didn't pump as long as most moms, so a totally different situation.  I have had two friends use Medela recently and they spoke highly of the ones that they got.  I want to say that one of them used a Freestyle from Medela or something like that.

I think that I still have some extra breastmilk bags if you want them.  If I recall correctly, you work in Rancho and I am nearby.

Thanks so much, I'd really appreciate the bags! I'm still on summer break from teaching in Rancho, but I am going out there on Monday (and a bunch in the coming weeks), so I can pick them up from you.

 

I will PM you

melgrady

I have the Medela pump in style advanced and have been really happy with it so far. I bought the adapter for the cigarette lighter and have been pumping on our roadtrip (I'm sure I have been a sight for the truckers). The parts are pretty easy to clean and I bought a bra so I am able to pump both sides hands free.

ladipale

I use both. I have a Medela at home and use the hosptial grade Ameda at work. I like them both, I think the Ameda is a bit more efficient but it could just be that it is hospital grade.